Acts 8:9-25 - Simon The Magician

⁹ But a certain man named Simon, from there in Samaria, who had been amazing the people with his magical powers, was claiming to be someone great. ¹⁰ Everyone, from the least to the greatest [in importance], was being impressed by him. They were saying, "This man is being called Great [and has] power from God." ¹¹ And people were paying attention to him because he had been amazing them with his magic for a long time. ¹² When people believed the good news about God's kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, which Philip was preaching, both men and women were immersed [in water]. ¹³ And [this] Simon also believed [Philip's message] and was immersed. [After that] he continued [to travel] with Philip and was amazed by the [supernatural] signs and great miracles he saw [him perform].

¹⁴ Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had responded to the message of God, they sent Peter and John to them. ¹⁵ When these two apostles had come [to Samaria] they prayed for some [of the disciples] to receive [miraculous power from] the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶ for as yet [such power] had not fallen on any of them; they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus [i.e., with no accompanying miraculous powers]. ¹⁷ Then the apostles placed their hands on [some of] them [and prayed, see verse 15] and they received [miraculous power from] the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ Now when Simon saw that through the placing of the apostles' hands [on people] the Holy Spirit was given [Note: The fact that Simon "saw" something happen suggests it was supernatural and therefore highly desirable by Simon], he offered to pay them money [for this power], ¹⁹ saying, "Give me also the ability to place my hands on people [and pray] so that they will receive [the miraculous power of] the Holy Spirit."

²⁰ But Peter said to him, "You and your money will both be destroyed for thinking you could buy the gift from God with money. ²¹ You do not have any share or involvement in this matter because your heart is not right before God. ²² So, repent [i.e., change your heart and life] of such a terrible thing and pray for the Lord to forgive you for even thinking of such a thing. Perhaps He will [if you are really sincere]. ²³ For I can see that your life is as bitter gall [i.e., very evil] and you are enslaved by [your] sins."

²⁴ And Simon answered, "[Please] pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said about me will [really] happen."

²⁵ When Peter and John had testified [regarding the truth] and had proclaimed the message of God [to the people] they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the good news [about Jesus] in many Samaritan villages [on their way back].